Not discouraged, however, by the failure of these trifling works, Captain Brodie and Mr Couper addressed a letter to the Light-house Board, in which an offer was made to erect a cast-iron light-house, in the space of two years, agreeably to the model already alluded to, and on the following terms, viz. L. 6000 to be paid over to them during the first year of the work, together with the produce of a certain Duty for the erection, to be exacted from shipping, as a Northern Light, until the original cost of the work should be paid off. But this description of building having been considered objectionable, Captain Brodie proposed to construct a new model, upon an improved plan, by which the base of the building, instead of being raised on pillars, was to be continuous, with small interstices or holes in its circumference, or outer casing, to admit the water into the interior void, with a view to lessen the weight and expence of metal, and check the force of the sea. But this also appeared to the Commissioners to be defective, when compared with an erection of stone, like the Eddystone and Tour de Corduan Light-houses. [Sidenote: Captain Brodie’s remuneration.] Captain Brodie having, however, shewn a most laudable zeal in this work, and considering that he must have expended a sum of money beyond what had been subscribed for the erection of the Spar Beacon, the Commissioners proposed to make him a liberal allowance for the last model, to the preparation of which they had given their countenance. He was accordingly requested to state the expence of this model, with a view to his reimbursement. But, under an erroneous impression, he brought forward an account, containing an enumeration of charges connected with the Bell Rock, from the year 1792; and by applying these items to the imaginary profits of trade, the sum amounted to several thousand pounds. This appeared so contrary to the views of the Commissioners, that the account was returned, with an offer of L. 400 in full of all claims. This sum, however, was refused, and another proposition made, that the Board should apply to Government to have his services publicly rewarded. But it was finally intimated, that L. 400 were at his disposal; and here the matter rested till after Captain Brodie’s decease, when that sum, with interest, was, in 1816, paid to his widow. [Sidenote: The Author’s early designs for the Bell Rock Light-house.]